Former England and Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt recently shared their experiences—and relief—about encountering Lionel Messi on the pitch.
🗣️ Nicky Butt: "I never had the chance to play against Messi."
🗣️ Paul Scholes: "Consider yourself lucky!"
Butt humorously admitted his gratitude, saying he might’ve kept his distance if given the chance:
🗣️ Nicky Butt: "Yes, I was fortunate in that regard. I’d have kept my distance if I could, but I know my manager would have demanded: 'Go mark him, stay on him.' How did it go when you faced him?"
Scholes gave a glimpse into the unique challenge Messi presents to opponents, especially those in midfield:
🗣️ Paul Scholes: "When you’re a midfielder and find yourself facing them one-on-one, you hope it doesn’t come to that. With most players, you can anticipate their moves. You watch for a pattern, and often, you can get in and make the tackle."
But with Messi, Scholes explained, you’re essentially facing the unpredictable:
🗣️ Paul Scholes: "But with Messi, there was no way to predict him. I didn’t know if he’d go left, go right, or nutmeg me. He had an answer for everything, and you were left guessing. If you got it wrong, you had to quickly recover and try again. I actually managed to get it right once, but it was close—probably would have been a penalty with VAR."
This exchange highlights just how formidable Messi’s skill set is, even among the most seasoned and accomplished players.
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